Scherzer, Gray added to Rangers' roster for ALCS
HOUSTON -- Max is back.
Rangers ace Max Scherzer, who has been down with a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder since Sept. 13, has been added to the American League Championship Series roster ahead of Sunday¡¯s Game 1 matchup with the Astros.
Scherzer posted a 3.20 ERA across eight starts after joining the Rangers at the Trade Deadline. Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi are already slated to start the first two games of the ALCS, so Scherzer could make his Texas postseason debut in Game 3.
Jon Gray, who has been sidelined with a right lower forearm strain since Sept. 28, was also added to the ALCS roster. The right-hander threw a live batting practice after the Rangers¡¯ workout at Minute Maid Park on Saturday.
Gray had a roller-coaster season, finishing with a 4.12 ERA, while ranking second on the pitching staff in innings (157 1/3) and strikeouts (142) at the time of the injury.
Manager Bruce Bochy said after the AL Division Series that Gray is unlikely to start a game, but could be used out of the bullpen.
With Scherzer and Gray added, Brock Burke and Matt Bush were left off the roster. Right-handed reliever Jonathan Hern¨¢ndez is still down with a right lat strain.
Below is a listing of the Rangers¡¯ 26-man ALCS roster:
Pitchers (13)
Cody Bradford, LHP
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Dane Dunning, RHP
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Jon Gray, RHP
Andrew Heaney, LHP
Jos¨¦ Leclerc, RHP
Jordan Montgomery, LHP
Mart¨ªn P¨¦rez, LHP
Josh Sborz, RHP
Max Scherzer, RHP
Will Smith, LHP
Chris Stratton, RHP
Position Players (13)
Evan Carter, OF
Adolis Garc¨ªa, OF
Mitch Garver, C
Robbie Grossman, OF
Austin Hedges, C
Jonah Heim, C
Travis Jankowski, OF
Josh Jung, 3B
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Corey Seager, SS
Marcus Semien, 2B
Josh Smith, INF
Leody Taveras, OF